Essential fatty acids are the number one recommendation for anyone who has, or wants to prevent common chronic diseases today, such diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. And they are very helpful in improving immune system function to increase energy and reverse some of the damage seen in diseases such as lupus, fibromyalgia, and MS. What types of fat are in your diet?
If you have dry skin, stiffness, concentration problems, or hormonal imbalances you may be lacking in a type of fat that is essential to health. Essential fatty acids are those fats that the body needs; yet cannot synthesize itself. Many types of fat are unhealthy fats, yet some are beneficial and necessary. In fact, cutting all fat from the diet is actually harmful to health.
Essential fatty acids are needed to metabolize other types of fats that are not good for us. Saturated fat is a harmful fat that is found in many types of red meat and dairy foods. Yet, the worse types of fats are the partially hydrogenated oils found in snack foods. These types of fats, found in most processed foods, are converted to trans-fatty acids when heated, or oxidized. So when you make boxed cakes or brownies you create trans fats when you bake these partially hydrogenated oils that are included in the mix so that the box can sit on your shelf indefinitely. These are the types of fat that increase cholesterol in the arteries.
The good fats, called essential fatty acids, are important in many metabolic processes, including energy production. Since the body cannot produce them, they must be consumed in the diet to optimize health. The essential fatty acids are the omega-3 (linoleic) and omega-6 (linolenic) polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Every cell in the body is like a tiny factory, taking in raw materials from the surrounding fluid and sending out various chemicals. Everything going into or coming out of the cell has to pass through the cell's membrane. The membrane depends on essential fatty acids to remain fluid and flexible. Without them, the membrane becomes stiff and unable to do its job.
Essential fatty acids are also important to bring vital oxygen to muscle cells and they enable the cells to more easily absorb nutrients needed for recuperation. In one study of 63 patients with fibromyalgia, essential fatty acid supplementation resulted in a 74% reduction in pain in patients after 1 month, and 85% after 3 months.
This is a list of the benefits realized by regular use of essential fatty acids:
? Improved cholesterol levels
? Lower blood pressure
? Improved memory
? Increased circulation
? Reduced joint stiffness
? Reduced dryness of the skin
? Improved immune system function
? Less inflammation
? Balanced hormones
? Depression reduced
As you can see, fatty acids are essential for metabolism and health. Flax oil is the richest vegetarian source of omega-3 fats. It is commonly used in salads in place of other salad dressings. Flax oil shouldn't be used for cooking, as high heat damages the fatty acids. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids are fish oils from salmon, tuna, cod, and mackerel.
Omega-6 fatty acids are found in many vegetable oils such as borage, flaxseed, walnut, soy, corn, sunflower, and are especially abundant in evening primrose oil. These omega-6 acids help to soften dry skin and relax tense muscles.
Both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids need to be supplemented in the diet. The ideal ratio of these fats is 2 parts omega-3 to 1 part omega-6 to reduce inflammation and pain, and to improve energy metabolism. Increasing the amount of fish oils and flax oil will help especially get the omega-3 fatty acids into the metabolism. 2000 mg. of flax oil is usually equivalent to 2 capsules or 1 tablespoon, and is the recommended minimum per day.
The omega-3 and omega-6 need catalysts to be absorbed in the body. These catalysts are vitamins B3 (niacin) and B6, vitamin C, and the minerals magnesium and zinc. When there is a deficiency of these nutrients then the essential fatty acids will not be absorbed well. Also when too many saturated or trans fats are part of the normal diet then supplementation of essential fatty acids is less effective.
A combination of essential fatty acids, minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants, are all needed in your daily diet, or on whole food supplement form, to make the metabolic changes that reverse many chronic disease symptoms. Supplementing with sufficient amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in balance will help you absorb the other nutrients you take in from your foods, and can make a great improvement in your overall health and vitality.
Jane Oelke, N.D., Ph.D. is a Traditional Naturopath and Doctor of Homeopathy in southwest Michigan. She is the author of "Natural Choices for Fibromyalgia" and "Natural Choices for Attention Deficit Disorder." She is a professional speaker on natural health topics. She can be contacted at doctoroelke@aol.com or through her website at doctoroelke@aol.com
car service from Midway Anna ..You can eat whole flax seeds but you need to... Read More
Unfortunately, the words "diet" and "cheating" go hand in hand.... Read More
I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More
Most of us eat at restaurants for a variety of... Read More
The concept isometric has been a part of the health... Read More
For decades science has been looking for the answers to... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
Get back to the basics - eat fresh at home... Read More
Just what is the "New Biology of Health?" And who's... Read More
Do you know the risks to daily intakes of Starbucks... Read More
My name is Mildred Shears. I'm retired and I live... Read More
Do you notice your child putting off going to the... Read More
Although you may have heard about soy and all of... Read More
Here's something you probably don't know. The fruit and vegetables... Read More
The subject of health care itself often seems plagued with... Read More
LIFESTYLE WELLNESS = An Adventure of Health + Vitality!Not a... Read More
It's really hard to believe that something could be worse... Read More
You've heard that old saying: True beauty comes from within.... Read More
Unhealthy eating is a harmful problem in America, and contrary... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
Liquid vitamin mineralThe liquid vitamin mineral dietary supplement is a... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
Approximately 30 years ago, food manufacturers were competing against the... Read More
The ingredients list found on the back or side panel... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
bmw rental chicago Verona ..DeathDeath. Why it happens? Why do we die? Why do... Read More
Our bodies need cholesterol. We use cholesterol to produce vitamin... Read More
Enzymes are the workers in our body that make everything... Read More
In a study review conducted by David A. Geier, B.A.... Read More
You may have heard that essential fats are an important... Read More
I am going to share with you possibly the most... Read More
In order for a person to actually have a healthy... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
Some experts consider carbohydrate craving and addiction as something more... Read More
Do you want more energy? How about more of the... Read More
Our diet is an essential factor for the formation of... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
Finally, a positive solution regarding America's difficult and costly campaign... Read More
What is the best protein powder to buy? I get... Read More
Nails are a protective horn at the end of our... Read More
As you've probably heard before, your post-workout meal may very... Read More
Can we really stop the aging process, slow it down,... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
Cholesterol. What images come to mind when you see this... Read More
The egg, the symbol of birth, of life and, therefore,... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Summer is not too far away. It is almost time... Read More
Nutrition |